Mandarin Buffet in Northampton

Left in tears! Arrived at the restaurant at 4pm today with my husband. Hadn't booked, but as it was 4pm on a Sunday, we took a chance. The man allocating tables inside the main entrance (the manager, I think), gave us a table, and the waitress took us to our seats. However, our table was so incredibly close to the people sitting next to us, I felt suddenly very uncomfortable, and asked if we could be moved. (This restaurant is enormous. It's 4pm on Sunday, and there are ample empty tables). The manager/table allocator, became so instantly furious at my request, he literally shouted at me. He was marching me around the place, with flailing arms, pointing and yelling at me about how "all the tables are close together! Because we need to survive you know!". I tried to explain that was OK, but that I would just prefer to sit next to an unoccupied table, if possible, but he wasn't listening and just continued to twist up his face, and spit at me further. I think I was so stunned (as a simple request to move tables seemed very reasonable to me, especially given how many empty tables were available), that I went and sat back down in my chair to process what had just happened. This emphatically rude and unprofessional gentleman then proceeded, in a very animated fashion, to point and complain loudly about me to the waitress standing next to him. He then engaged another member of staff in the same conversation, loudly, shouting down the walkway to one another next to where we were still sitting. The two tables of people next to us, were understandably staring right at us, having had their meals so rudely interrupted, and the entire ordeal was completely humiliating and honestly, quite traumatic. Especially for a socially anxious person, who has a been working hard to overcome a significant phobia of eating in front of others, and has finally been spontaneous and plucked up the courage to attend what is described in Google reviews as a "good restaurant", with "polite, friendly and accommodating staff". Honestly, all he needed to say was "I'm sorry madam, all of our tables are reserved and will be full before you finish your meal". Or, "as you didn't book, I'm afraid this is all we can offer". Or any of the other vast number of possible, proportionate responses available. This behaviour was totally uncalled for, reactive, egotistical and offensive, and I am utterly appalled to think that any service would feel justified in treating their customers this way. I'm not surprised they "need to survive"! If you enjoy being spoken to disrespectfully, being publically dressed down and humiliated, and leaving a place hungry and in tears before you've even so much as ordered a drink, then this is the place for you. Alternatively, you can spend your money at Karen's. Deeply disappointed.

It's a buffet! It's pretty good quality. You can ask them to cook food for you (that's the premium stuff) and the staff are great.

As a Hongkonger, I really love the taste of the food. It is hygiene, tasty and reasonable price. Also, there is a parking with 2.5 hours free. We came there to celebrate my wife’s birthday and felt very satisfied. Keep up the good work.

Food was alright. Lots of variety. All seemed fresh and warm. Desserts however... No flavour. All tasted plastic. No chocolate fountain. The cocktails are £9.50 and taste similar to pre mixed ones from a carton.

The restaurant is very good with so many people to help you and show you your seat. They might be a little strict at serving food and the bill is quite pricey but they have a large variety of cushiness to try from British, American to Thai. There is also a candy cotton machine and fortune cookies to you to enjoy. They have lots of desserts such as cake, ice cream and freshly cooked pancakes from the nice chefs to serve to you. You can also customise it with your favourite toppings. Honestly, If you wanna go anywhere very nice for an occasion In Northampton or anywhere near, I recommend going here!

Always love it here. Staff are very accommodating and kind, the door is always opened for you and staff always take you to your seat. There is a wide variety of food, definitely something for everyone. There is an abundance of dessert choices, including a candy floss machine, fruit, pancakes (made fresh), ice cream, trifle, etc etc! There are 2 large rooms and even when packed, there’s plenty of room when getting food. The food is also regularly refilled so there is rarely an empty/low tray.

5 of us ate here for the first time on recommendation. The restaurant is very clean & spacious. The staff very friendly and efficient. As it was our first visit we were taken to the food and explained where everything was. Food was delicious, fresh & no cross dish contamination or spills. Best buffet style we've experienced. Good value for money. We'll definitely be back. Thank you.

Went on Saturday with family and the food was quality and service was fast and friendly.xx

Great selection of food but please be aware that they charge extra if you waste to much so only grab what you can eat, as its all you can eat you can always get more

Great family night out. Children able to go and help themselves all evening, no worries about bills getting high as fixed price.

It’s a buffet, nothing fancy but the food is amazing and staff are attentive

I would say book your table as this is a very busy restaurant, the food is amazing and you can go up as many times that your stomach will let you, the staff are so friendly, definitely going again, but again book a table to avoid disappointment- a very big 5 stars and more

lovely night great choice of food on the buffet staff are friendly and professional definitely visiting again

Best Chinese buffet in the land absolutely fantastic, loved it.

Recommended Food nicely cooked and fresh. Delicious dishes. Plenty of choice and never seemed to be any shortages. Great deserts, again ample choice. Service friendly and efficient. Free parking for 2.5 hours

The food is lovely but the bar service and drinks prices are ridiculous. A great selection of delicious food but £5.90 for a pint of Carlsberg shandy. Inexperienced bar staff made a hash of our order. Plates are cleared quickly allowing you to go back up to the buffet. Prawns were a good size and tasty but mussels were tiny and dried up. Lacks atmosphere.

This place is good but it just missing things like more food more sweets and maby different drinks ! I eat the food and I hated it why doesn’t it have taste ?

The food is very good and tasty. The place is very nice and tidy.Waiters are always there to assist you with a friendly smile.Good set up.A variety of delicious dishes to choose from.

We were admitted late, and due to this the very friendly and helpful manager gave us a discount, as with modern buffets some of the food was very good but other dishes were lacking, however due the discount I had to give 4 stars, at normal price it would have been a 3. Staff were friendly restaurant was clean and well spaced out.

The food here is delicious, with lots of variety and something for everyone. The bar and waiting staff are lovely, very helpful. The owner (I think) was a bit off with me when I suggested my daughter (10) should qualify for a kids price, which I thought was a bit tight considering there were 16 of us! It was also chaotically busy, and therefore the bar was slow. Overall good and everyone enjoyed their meals

Very busy if you don't book you will be waiting outside, apart from that STUFFED 😉

Awsome place .. loads of foods to choose from . Definitely recommend

Food was overcooked and some had been under the heat lamps s o long it had dried out. The service was none rubbish you had to chase down staff to get a round of drinks. And the noise was horrendous.

Great buffet with excellent food and reasonable prices. Enjoying the experience every time I’m visiting this place

Food was all fresh, well presented, fantastic variety, something for everyone. Waiting staff were polite and attentive. As it is one big open plan dining area with high ceiling it was very noisey and layout was like a canteen more than a restaurant.

Fantastic food, real value for money.

A nice restaurant with a large selection of food. There is a cook to order teppanyaki grill and a crepe station in the dessert area. It can get quite crowded during busy periods

Took the family for a meal yesterday and everyone enjoyed it. Food tasted great with lots of choice. You get 1hr 45 mins, which is ample time for most. Parking may be a little tricky on evenings and weekends though.

Family do place, buzzy and cheerful

The quality of the food has noticeably declined.

It was our first time visiting here tonight. My partner and I had a wonderful evening. The food is amazing, so tasty, and there’s so much to choose from, including a live cooking section. There was also a good selection of food for children too. I noticed that there were fish fingers and chicken nuggets amongst other items. The desserts, there was a wide selection to choose from and they were also very tasty. Staff are very friendly and welcoming and always ready to help. The restaurant itself was very clean and tidy. Because of this it’s no wonder it was so busy. We shall definitely be returning. Thank you for such a wonderful evening.

I went there with family members and we all love it... A visit is highly recommended 👏.

Very good buffet, good selection of food and very tasty. Only downfall was the long queues for the candy floss and drink prices were expensive

It's not too bad as buffets go. Plenty of choice with the beef and pork dishes being tasty.

Lovely food. Clean environment.

Myself and my sons we love there. Clean, so many food choices, staff very polite and professional. Great customer Service. We will definitely go back again.

The food provided by this restaurant was fresh and ready with even an option for them to prepare additional meals based on fresh ingredients that they had on display. The waiters were always around and responded promptly with your order. Be sure to make a booking before you arrive since walk ins are not accepted due to obvious demand reasons.

All the chicken dishes were extremely dry.

Great experience but please do prebook as you're seated in a quieter area with easier access to the buffet and drinks served at your table.

Food was ok but staff mainly a older male was very rude

Loads of choice. Nice and clean.

Best chinese in Northampton hands down!

Nice place. Tasty food. I love to spend my birthday with family there.

Been going here for 10 years but yesterday's experience was very poor. Starter food was overcooked, dry and cold and the staff were more interested in talking to each other rather than serving the customers as couldn't get there attention to order drinks. Also the rice was really hard like bullets. Shame as it was my twins birthday and it was ruined. As I say we've been coming here for 10yrs but not sure we will come again.

Some of the crispy chickens and beefs were stale and there were plates that were dirty. Very noisy atmosphere and the waiting staff are not really attentive. They placed a guide dog right next to my newborn, (I love dogs but are you serious??) It’s too expensive for what it’s worth, they need to reevaluate the price because this is not worth even dressing up for.

Brilliant staff, hidden gem absolutely stunning drinks!!!

Food is fine and so is price. Better than a traditional fast food but still not better than home made

Lots of food types and choices for all ages.. polite staff at service to make your day special. Great ambience. I love the veggies and sea foods! Good value for money.

It was the first and not the last. Very tasty, great choice. You can come with children, as there is a large selection (chips, fries, nuggets, and chicken). Very friendly staff, especially the administrator, approached each table whether everything was fine (you want to drink). Definitely will come again.

The restaurant was lovely, the food was very good. Visited twice this month already.

Every time I chose to go to eat to this place I find it very satisfying, all type of food there is very tasty, good services, the atmosphere is to loud but because of very nice food you can pass over this aspect.

Always happy with food and service

The food is always good, well presented and the restaurant is always clean and the staff is great. Members of the management team, however, behave like prisoner guards guarding inmates. in a high security prison. They are all stone-faced, do not seem to know what a simple smile is; not realizing that a smile goes a long way to make patrons feel welcome. I do not think these guys realize they are operating in a multi-cultural country where everyone should be treated with respect. Incident 1: One of the managers/maybe director spoke to me very harshly for going over and saying hello to a young girl who was celebrating her 8th birthday. I only stopped on my way out for about 30 seconds and the parents were happy I did that. How stupid and idiotic this so called manager/director or whoever this guy is. This guys is unfit to run a public facing establishment that should welcome all people from all walks of life. I have been to this Mandarin Buffet a few times and occasionally speak to a particular member of the management team who is very nice. This other manager or Director or whatever he is has not manners and is not fit to be working his role at this particular buffet, which is just ok and basic but clean and the food selection is good. I will find out who the CEO is of this company and report him because people need a friendly environment to eat and not this hostile atmosphere. Many people have made similar remarks but I will not be disrespected by anybody on this earth: chances are he does not own this company and I have staff working for with excellent customer service record. This guys probably does not like his job because he stern look and demeanor is that of a prison guard supervising prisoners. He needs to get proper training as he is unfit to be public facing. He'd be better of washing plates out of public view. Go and get proper training and some soft skills while you are at it. A stark contrast to Incident 2 - One of my chop sticks fell so I went and gave it to one of the staff who snatched them from me so I said to her sternly, 'don't snatch' to which she said 'I didn't snatch' - They need more training to work in a diverse community such as Northampton otherwise they may as well go and set up in SOHO, London or in China Town where most of their patrons would be Chinese. Incident 3 - A member of staff said 'excuse me' with an angry face so I went to her and said to her, you say, Excuse-me please' and made sure she understood that manners in the UK establishments has gone down the drain and I will insist to be respected at all times by everybody I come into contact. The whole lot of you in this restaurant need proper 'Soft skills training. I hope you take this seriously otherwise patrons will vote with their feet.

The Mandarin buffet was even better than I expected! The food was delicious and never ending, or so it seemed. The service, was prompt, friendly and helpful. The venue was enormous to the point where the free (2-hour ONLY) parking was a bit of an issue, however there is free parking also on the grass verge outside of the complex. Sally the Assistance 🐕 Hound was accepted without issue. As much as you can eat for £21 and it was worth every penny we paid. 6 of us ate there and we had no complaints. In addition to the buffet (with a massive selection of dishes) there was a pick-your-own-fresh-ingredients-&-we-will-cook-it-for-you section, and also a make-your-own-candy-floss machine, (with quite a queue though)! There must have been 17 or 18 individual renditions of the song "Happy Birthday"; strewth but there were loads of birthdays there today, including my youngest daughter's celebration too! All in, I would vote highly recommended.

The place is expansive and the buffet has a lot of variety. It would be a treat for meat lovers. My young girls liked the chicken offerings and everything was tasty. Some of the fried stuff was just too oily. The desserts section is amazing and offers a lot of choice. But it’s just too expensive for a family of 4 where the kids won’t make full use of the buffet. It set us back by almost a £100 along with non-alcoholic drinks. Staff is great and plates were getting cleared away very quick between the servings. But we won’t be returning soon due to value for money reasons.

As someone who has worked here and seen how nasty the kitchen is , all am saying is your eating uncleaned meat/fish and your also eating from invisible dirty cutlery!

I didn't enjoy the food that much, food wasn't that hot either.

Super all you can eat with top notch service.

Yin is the most rudest person I have ever come in contact with! Avoid this place!!! Yin is obviously a racist saying she does not deal with people like me( I am black). AVOID. This place is so unprofessional it's sicken. To think I use to love this place, not knowing what kind of managers are there! Yin should be sacked she is bringing the place down! Edit: The reply from the so called owner is a cover up. You are on a power trip, talking lies to cover up how rude and rasict you are. Have never been back to this place and will never. I have all right to leave a review about how I was treated.

Excellent buffet with loads of variety and choice. All food fresh and delicious

Great service. Low quality food.

Absolutely amazing Chineese restaurant. We went there for a regular dinner.  It was wonderful experience.  Every dish is different and mouth watering, and you can watch the team prepare it right in front of you. Not only the food is extraordinary tasty  but it is also well accompanied by the great knowledge and courtesy of the waiters.  Great experience, we will definitely be back soon.

Amazing time spent with family for my birthday

Dropped to 4 star because the cakes are not so great anymore but it is still worth visiting as there are so much options. The restaurant is busy yet clean and food is replenished almost immediately

What a place, really nice place to eat and so much to choose from and that's including the deserts. They have even got a candyfloss machine in there now, but you will have to wait in line behind the kids and their parents.

Nice meal out however spoilt by the amount of kids running around. Cotton candy machine takes too long and people constantly pushing in, ended up not having any, ruins the experience when people are cutting the queue. Recommend 2 machines or staff monitoring this in the future. Paying the bill, one of the older ladies taking payment holding card machine as far away as possible. Will not return for a long time.

We can with my inlaws they never been before , i had my 5yr old granddaughter with up and I had promised her a candy floss 50 mins in the queue to just get 1. Need to sort another way to do it as we were blocking the walk way as there was atleased 25/30 people waking at the same time and just as u thought u were nearly there the 1s at the front wud bring up 7/8 of there family cos me £20 plus to stand in a line

Very clean and the staff very good. The quality of the food very good as well.

Food was great, huge selection of meats. But alas, the cotton candy machine was dysfunctional.

Great buffet, friendly staff and good food!

Nowhere near as good as it use to be. Limited food compared to previous visits yet as expected price has gone up. I appreciate food prices have escalated. But, if prices increase to keep same excellent choices they once had would understand it. It does seem more like a school dinner hall than somewhere of choice. I personally would not visit again......

First time being there. Staff very attentive. Food delicious. Certainly get your money's worth.

Love this restraunt but not many vegetarian options other than just vegetables. No tofu or tempeh dishes... and most the vegetables arr in oyster sauce... makes it hard for vegetarians to eat.

First time coming here definitely come again, service was amazing and atmosphere was lovely. Food was hot and delicious 😋 will be returning

I score low because if feels like cantine..not restaurant...music missing and tables shoud be organised different ..like for an restaurant..in rest..all good..i enjoy the food taste

Took the Mrs there and we'll I must say it was above our expectations. Food food galore bit busy but who cares loads of good food

Tasty and plenty of variety food 😊

Great choice of food, staff are lovely, still our favourite place to eat

This place is a shambles! Looks huge but inside it’s not that big and there isn’t a lot of choices for food! They add cheap English food to a Chinese buffet it’s very odd! Staff are rude and not a pleasant place to sit and eat very loud as it’s all opened

Lovely place for a family weekend meal

Visited today for second time. Excellent service by very friendly staff. Will definitely be back.

Amazing place if you are craving for Chinese cuisine and eat all you can. Reasonable price with authentic foodie from starter to main courses until dessert, plenty of choices.

Famtastic place excellent food lovely clean place highly recommend

Service is good. Average atmosphere. But that I had a disappointment that turned everything around. As for the food, it seems there is no instant cooking or sushi section. Don't be fooled by the pictures. I visited because the reviews were good, but I was very disappointed. There are few varieties and even a lot of similar menus. I like buffet restaurants, so I visit them once when I'm in the countryside, but I'm so disappointed.

It’s not worth for money. Terrible.

The food is always bang on here it's a shame there isn't one closer to us us in Tamworth but nonetheless food there is the best buffet I've been to . And at a good price

Amazing food, very good vegetarian options. Very clean, and the food is constantly topped up. Great staff, very friendly. It can be very noisy due to the size of the building but worth it. Watch out for the parking. It's free, but not many spaces, and it has a time limit.

Amazing Food Good Place to Stuff your face

Best Buffet in Nottingham by far!! Trust me, try it. So many dishes to choose from and plenty of options catered for, incuding seafood, yummy!. You can also have something cooked by the chef too. A very clean place especially for such a large capacity restaurant. We travelled from Birmingham and no regrets. Food brilliant, atmosphere brilliant and I think it was the owner Simon W, a lovely man and stopped to talk. All staff were very attentive and not pushy. Prices were well reasonable compared to others as well. Will definitely be visiting again.

Delicious! Spoilt for choice!! Enjoy!

Food was nice and fresh, staff was friendly amd helpful,

Great place when you are very hungry , shrimps here are delicious . Desserts great

Been here a few times and cannot fault the place. Always great service and the food is brilliant.

Lovely food good staff and you don't feel rushed when your eating there

The old lady who takes the payments is very rude and should be left at home watching TV, not dealing with the public in your business she is a liability and behaves just like a Karen, she kept standing over me while I was eating my food and I mean literally right next to me almost shoulder to shoulder it feels very inappropriate and intimidating, could even be classed as assault as it did cause me harassment alarm and distress.

Best buffet in Northampton. The Sushi is pretty good but the Chinese is the best. Loads on offer and constantly refreshed, never an empty dish. Book online or call to reserve a table as it is always busy. Parking is a bit of an issue but you can always park in Weston favell and walk over.

Really nice buffet with varieties to choose from, plus the food is actually tasty. Service is great and ambience is okay. I really wish there was take out though 😀, great experience generally.

We were regulars before Covid, but sadly Covid forced them to close, we thought possibly it would be permanent. But delighted to find they are open again, and that the food, service and decor all as splendid as they were before Covid!

Great place to enjoy and different dishes. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who says I don't like that before there'd even tried it.

Food was absolutely horrific and was chewer than a pair of airforce 1s with creases sad to say I’ll never be back 🤢